EP1424937B1 - Medical implant system - Google Patents

Abstract

In the case of a medical implant system with an implant made of a composite material in which glass fibers are embedded, to obtain information on physical states of the implant in its environment it is proposed that a sensor element which is embedded in the implant and comprises at least one of the glass fibers is coupled to a measuring device which determines a physical property of the sensor element or its environment and changing of this property.

Description

The invention relates to a medical implant system with a Implant made of a composite material in which glass fibers are embedded are, at least one embedded in the implant the sensor element comprising glass fibers with a measuring device is connected, which is a physical property of the sensor element or its environment or its change.

Medical implants, for example bone plates, intramedullary nails, Endoprostheses, osteosynthesis systems for the spine, etc. Usually made from metallic materials, but they are also known implants that consist of a composite material, in which glass fibers are embedded for reinforcement, in particular medical implants of this type consist of sterilizable, selected ones Plastics such as polyether ether ketone, polyamides etc.

When these implants are inserted into the body, they are different Exposed to influences, for example different Strains and stresses, temperature developments or chemical Environments. It would be of interest to the treating type to experience these different parameters as they provide information about the healing process or about any problems that may arise.

Medical devices are described in US Pat. No. 5,792,076, can be embedded in the glass fibers to over the glass fibers certain physical properties of implants or medical Detect devices. In individual cases it becomes a single one Fiber embedded, it is also described that multiple fibers are embedded are, for example, six fibers. These fibers are, for example along the circumference of a stick in regular patterns arranged, for example in the circumferential direction or in the radial direction at the same distance. In all of these cases, the glass fibers used only as sensors.

Based on this state of the art, the subject of the application lies based on the task of a generic medical implant system to improve so that information about physical Preserve properties in and around the implant can.

This task is the beginning of a medical implant described type according to the invention solved in that the glass fibers in the form of a woven fabric, a knitted fabric or a fleece as a mechanical Reinforcement are embedded in the composite material.

The glass fibers therefore form a network that is integrated into the composite material is embedded and thereby reinforced.

Glass fibers are in various forms as a material for reinforcement known (DE 39 14 164 C1), but the glass fibers serve exclusively as reinforcement material. As part of the present Invention, however, are the glass fibers at the same time as reinforcement and used as a sensor element, and this is from the known State of the art was not obvious.

Here, the term "glass fiber" all fibrous, in the Composite embeddable substances that are capable of electromagnetic radiation must be conducted and transmitted, preferably these fibers are made of quartz glass, but they can also other substances are used, for example fibers Plastic, so-called plastic optical fibers (POF).

Depending on the mechanical requirements, the glass fibers can concentrated in certain areas of the implant or over the entire extent of the implant should be distributed.

The measuring device is preferably designed so that it is electromagnetic Radiation feeds into the sensor element and from the Type of continuous and / or reflected radiation physical Properties of the sensor element or determined by its environment.

The glass fiber of the sensor element is according to a preferred embodiment provided with a radiation reflecting coating.

In a first preferred embodiment, the sensor element is present essentially from the glass fiber forming a sensor fiber. In this embodiment, it is in the composite material embedded fiber optic at the same time sensor and transmission element for electromagnetic radiation.

There are a large number of different configurations possible in which the glass fiber acts as a sensor fiber, for example can at least one acting as a Bragg grating in the sensor fiber Area incorporated. In such an area, the periodic Changes in the refractive index in the longitudinal direction of the sensor fiber has radiation is reflected, which is superimposed on reflection and only for very specific wavelengths in the reverse direction strengthened. This wavelength depends on the periodicity of the Bragg grating area and changes with this periodicity. Every change in length the sensor fiber or any change in the periodicity of the Bragg-lattice, which occurs due to external influences, can occur can be determined in the form of a wavelength shift.

In another preferred embodiment can be provided be that in the sensor fiber one by the fed electromagnetic Radiation to fluorescence-excited substance is embedded, their fluorescent properties under the influence of the environment experienced changes outside the sensor fiber. These changes can be mechanical changes, but in particular the Fluorescence property of the embedded substance through the chemical Environment of the sensor fiber can be influenced, for example can the fluorescence from certain substances in the environment to be deleted.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the radiation-reflecting coating consists of a substance, under the influence of the environment outside the sensor fiber Reflection behavior for the electromagnetic radiation in the sensor fiber changed. As a result, the one passing through the sensor fiber and reflected amount of radiation changes, and this leaves establish themselves.

Any change in the properties of the radiation can be detected changes in wavelength, phase position, the polarization, etc., it is only essential that this Changes in a clearly recognizable context with changes of the properties in the vicinity of the sensor fiber, for example with changes in mechanical tension, temperature or the material composition.

In a further preferred embodiment can be provided be that the sensor element comprises the glass fiber and another Sensor element, which is connected to the measuring device via the glass fiber is. With this configuration, the glass fiber essentially acts as a transmission element between the sensor element and the Measuring device.

For example, the sensor element can be a pressure sensor with a flexible one Membrane and one of these movable mirror element, which the electromagnetic radiation fed into the glass fiber reflected differently according to position.

In a further embodiment, the sensor element can be a Fabry-Perot interferometer his.

For example, it can be provided that the Fabry-Perot interferometer as a thin-film interferometer contacted on the end of the glass fiber is formed, the active layer under the influence of the environment experiences dimensional changes. Such active layer can for example be porous and swell, when it comes in contact with a liquid, this way For example, it can be determined whether an implant is still sealed or has a desired or undesirable opening to the environment.

In another embodiment it is provided that the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprises two glass fibers with polished end faces, whose distance can be changed by environmental influences. This configuration is particularly beneficial when there are strains or displacements should be determined within an implant.

The glass fiber of the sensor element can be used directly with the measuring device be connected, the measuring device being carried inside the body can be, but also outside. In the latter case, the Glass fiber from the implant through the body tissue to the outside performed so that there is a connection to the measuring device can be.

It is particularly favorable if the measuring device is in the body implantable microcontroller.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the glass fiber is included connected to a transmitter that signals without physical connection exchanged with the measuring device.

This transmitter can in particular be implantable in the body, for example, it can be a transponder.

In a particularly favorable embodiment, the transmitter is a Light source to which a light receiver is assigned. It turned out that light of different wavelengths body tissue in some Extensions can penetrate, so that between a light receiver and a light source, part of which is in the body and one Part are arranged outside, transmitted by light Radiant energy is possible, especially when the light source electromagnetic radiation in the range between 650 and 1000 nm sending out.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the measuring device a radiation transmitter is assigned, which uses a glass fiber in the implant Radiation is transported into the interior of the implant. Such a Radiation transmitter can be used in addition to Determination of the physical properties of the implant by the coupled radiation to act on the implant and this to change, for example by heating in certain areas or similar.

It can be provided that the transport of the radiation via a glass fiber takes place in addition to the glass fiber of a sensor element is embedded in the implant, but it can also be provided be that the transport of the radiation over the glass fiber of a sensor element he follows. In this case it is advantageous if appropriate Switching elements are used which select the fiber optics connect to the measuring device and to the radiation transmitter.

A configuration in which the wavelength and is particularly advantageous Intensity of the transported radiation are chosen so that the radiation mechanical and / or in the composite material of the implant causes material changes. For example, it is possible, an additional curing of a polymer composite in certain areas or vice versa Weakening by destroying the composite material, so that on this way the mechanical properties of the implant in larger Areas or can be changed locally.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, that the measuring device and the radiation transmitter a controller is assigned, which the radiation transmitter depending on the Measured variables of the measuring device activated. In this configuration is it is possible to continuously determine the physical data of the implant, for example the mechanical transferred to the implant Tensions, for example, a measure of the healing process are, these tensions increase with increasing stability Bone connection as part of the stress from the bone is taken over. It is then cheap, according to this regeneration to reduce the strength of the implant of the bone connection, so that the power transmission function increasingly from that healing bones.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Ansicht eines Implantats in Form einer Knochenplatte mit einer drahtlosen Verbindung zu einer Meßeinrichtung;

Figur 2:

eine schematische Ansicht eines plattenförmigen Implantates mit einer netzförmigen Glasfaserverstärkung;

Figur 3:

eine schematische Ansicht eines Implantats in Form einer Knochenplatte mit einer an mehrere Glasfasern angeschlossenen Meßeinrichtung und mit einer Strahlungsquelle zur Einführung von Strahlung in eine nicht mit der Meßeinrichtung verbundene Glasfaser;

Figur 4:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 3 mit einer Schalteinrichtung zur wahlweisen Verbindung von Glasfasern im Implantat mit der Meßeinrichtung oder mit der Strahlungsquelle;

Figur 5:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Glasfaser mit Bragg-Gitter-Bereichen unterschiedlicher Periodizität;

Figur 6:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Glasfaser mit eingebetteten fluoreszierenden Farbstoffpartikeln;

Figur 7:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Glasfaser mit einer Ummantelung mit veränderlichen Transmissionseigenschaften;

Figur 8:

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines mit einer Glasfaser verbundenen Fabry-Pérot-Interferometers mit zwei gegeneinander bewegten Glasfaserstükken;

Figur 9:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 8 mit einer dimensionsveränderlichen aktiven Schicht und

Figur 10:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Glasfaser mit einem Membrandrucksensor.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawing for a more detailed explanation. Show it:

Figure 1:

a schematic view of an implant in the form of a bone plate with a wireless connection to a measuring device;

Figure 2:

a schematic view of a plate-shaped implant with a net-shaped glass fiber reinforcement;

Figure 3:

a schematic view of an implant in the form of a bone plate with a measuring device connected to a plurality of glass fibers and with a radiation source for introducing radiation into a glass fiber not connected to the measuring device;

Figure 4:

a view similar to Figure 3 with a switching device for the optional connection of glass fibers in the implant with the measuring device or with the radiation source;

Figure 5:

a schematic side view of a glass fiber with Bragg grating regions of different periodicity;

Figure 6:

a schematic side view of a glass fiber with embedded fluorescent dye particles;

Figure 7:

a schematic side view of a glass fiber with a sheath with variable transmission properties;

Figure 8:

is a schematic side view of a Fabry-Pérot interferometer connected to a glass fiber with two pieces of glass fiber moved against each other;

Figure 9:

a view similar to Figure 8 with a dimensionally variable active layer and

Figure 10:

is a schematic side view of an optical fiber with a membrane pressure sensor.

The invention is explained below using the example of a bone plate, it is understood, however, that the invention is general for in the body insertable medical implants can be used and not on Bone plates is limited.

An implant 1 in the form of a bone plate with openings 2 for receiving of bone screws is in a manner known per se Bone screws connected to two bone fragments 3, 4, that they are fixed in a certain relative position to each other, so that, for example, a break 5 can heal (Figure 1). The Implant 1 consists of a plastic material, for example a resorbable plastic such as polylactide (PLLA, PL DLLA), polyglycolite (PGA) or trimethylene carbonate (TMC), and in this plastic material 6, glass fibers 7 are embedded. In the embodiment 1 only two individual glass fibers 7 are shown schematically, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped implant 1, in the embodiment of Figure 2 are a variety of Glass fibers 7 indicated in the form of a network, which in total the plastic material 6 is embedded, here are the most varied Arrangements and concentrations of glass fibers in the plastic material 6 possible. This embedding reinforces the glass fibers the plastic material 6, and accordingly become different Distributions selected in the implant, depending on the mechanical Strength requirements.

The glass fibers 7 in the embodiment of Figure 1 are with a Transmission element 8 connected, for example a conventional one Transponder on the implant 1 itself or at a distance from the implant 1 inside the patient's body or on the inside Surface of the patient's body can be placed on it can also be an optical element, which is light can receive and transmit, for example a small parabolic mirror, a lens or the like. In the embodiment of the figure 1 are all glass fibers 7 arranged in the implant 1 with the transmission element 8 connected, only in the embodiment of Figure 2 some, while other glass fibers are used exclusively to reinforce the Serve implant 1. This can be chosen differently from case to case in extreme cases, it is sufficient to have a single glass fiber 7 in the implant 1 to be connected to such a transmission element 8.

The transmission element 8 is a corresponding transmission element 9 assigned, which via a line 10 with a measuring device 11 is connected. Between the transmission elements 8 and 9 signals can be exchanged, it can be electrical signals to optical signals to mechanical signals Act (ultrasound), the only essential thing is that of the transmission element 8 into the glass fiber and possibly from the glass fiber in the transmission element 8 transmit electromagnetic energy which is converted into signals in the transmission element 8 then in any way to the transmission element 9 and thus Measuring device 11 can be passed. In particular, the Transmission element 8 and 9 in an arrangement of the transmission element 8 inside the body between them an electromagnetic Radiation with a wavelength between 650 and 1000 nanometers exchange, this electromagnetic radiation can affect the body tissue penetrate to a certain depth and can therefore a signal connection between the two transmission elements 8 and 9, both in the direction of irradiation and in the direction of emission.

The radiation coupled into the glass fiber 7 in this way is shown in the fiber 7 out and through this itself or by a with it connected sensor member 12 changes, depending on the physical state data of the glass fiber 7, the sensor element 12 or the surrounding area. The resulting from the glass fiber 7 Transmission element 8 radiation fed in the reverse direction is accordingly changed, and this change can be detected by the measuring device 11 notice, which is a feedback about changes the physical state of the glass fiber, the sensor element 12 and / or the surroundings thereof.

The possibilities for acting on the fed into the glass fiber 7 Electromagnetic radiation is diverse, it can be based on this Way length changes, deformations, mechanical tensile stresses, Forces, vibrations, pressures, angles of rotation, electrical or magnetic Field strengths, currents, temperatures, humidity, ionizing Radiations or concentration or presence of chemical Determine substances, this is just a selection of the possible ones physical states that can be determined in this way. Based 5 to 10 are some examples of the influence below of electromagnetic radiation in a glass fiber is discussed.

A section of an optical fiber 7 is shown in FIG Glass fibers are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Different areas 13, 14, 15 are provided, in which in the longitudinal direction periodic changes in the refractive index of the fiber occur. These can be generated, for example, by one, for example quartz glass fiber doped with germanium dioxide via a microlithographic Mask with ultraviolet light of 240 nm wavelength is irradiated. This creates one in each area 13, 14, 15 Arrangement of a Bragg grating, the periodicity and thus the Lattice constant in different areas 13, 14, 15 different to get voted.

At each of these Bragg gratings an interference radiation very specific wavelength is reflected, this wavelength is dependent on the periodicity of the lattice and thus also changes when this the periodicity changes. Such a change in periodicity or Lattice constant can be caused by external influences, for example by stretching the glass fiber, by bending the glass fiber, by heating etc. Since in each area 13, 14, 15 only radiation of a certain one Wavelength is reflected, you can look at the wavelength of the reflected radiation immediately read in which area a Reflection has occurred, also gives the shift in wavelength Information about changes in the grid spacing in these areas, so for example about the stretching of the glass fiber in certain areas. This can be different in areas 13, 14, 15 Measuring device can make statements about it from the reflected radiation make how large an elongation is in each of the areas 13, 14, 15. This is particularly useful when using several Such glass fibers provide precise information about the deformation of the Implants 1 in the body and thus, for example, on the healing process when bone fragments grow together. The stretch due to the forces exerted will be greatest when the Bone fragments have not yet grown together and they will continuously decrease with the healing progress.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6, the glass fibers 7 in embedded in a specific area 16 dye particles 17, the by electromagnetic radiation entering the glass fiber 7 Fluorescence can be excited. The radiation emitted in this way can be determined by the measuring device. Environmental influences, for example certain chemical substances in the environment of the area 16 can influence the fluorescence, for example the fluorescence intensity can be reduced or the fluorescence be completely deleted. The measuring device receives on this Wise information about the presence of certain chemical substances in the vicinity of area 16.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 7, the glass fiber 7 has a coating 18 envelops the outlet of the guided through the glass fiber 7 prevents electromagnetic radiation. This coating can react with chemical substances 19 in the environment and itself implement so that the exit properties of the electromagnetic Radiation can be changed in the area where the chemical Substance 19 is located, and in this way you get one again Change in reflected radiation depending on certain chemical substances 19 in the vicinity of the glass fiber 7.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the flat ground end 20 of the glass fiber 7 also a flat ground end 21 one Glass fiber piece 22 opposite, between the ends 20 and 21st a very narrow gap 23 is formed, for example the gap width A are of the order of 50 mm. This arrangement forms a Fabry-Pérot interferometer and reflects radiation from a whole certain wavelength, this depends on the gap width A. Moving the two ends 20 and 21 relative to each other results there is also a shift in the wavelength of the reflected Radiation, and this can be determined very sensitively. This too For example, stretching of the implant can result in the glass fiber 7 and the glass fiber piece 22 are transmitted without notice more.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9, a similar arrangement is selected, however, an active layer 24 is inserted into the gap 23, which their dimension, for example their volume, as a function of environmental influences changes. It can be, for example porous structure act when liquid enters the pores swells. This changes the gap width B and this leads to a change in the wavelength of the Fabry-Pérot arrangement reflected radiation.

The Fabry-Perot arrangements of FIGS. 8 and 9 thus form one Sensor member 12, which via the glass fiber 7 with the measuring device 11 is connected in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 7, however, the glass fiber 7 itself is a sensor element, it is about So here are glass fibers that are themselves sensor fibers.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 10, the glass fiber 7 is a sensor element 12 in the form of a pressure sensor 25. This includes a flexible membrane 26 which is provided on one side with a mirror layer 27 is. If you arrange this pressure sensor 25 at the end of an optical fiber 7, the deformation of the membrane 26 changes as a function of pressure takes place, which is reflected in the glass fiber 7 electromagnetic Radiation, and thus you get a measure of the Print at the end of the fiber 7.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 are glass fibers 7, the are led out of the implant 1, directly or indirectly with the Measuring device 11 connected.

This is the case in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, which has a similar structure like that of FIG. 1 and corresponding reference numerals for the same parts wear, similarly solved, the connection of the transmission element 8 with the measuring device 11 is in the embodiment in the Figure 3 symbolized by a line 10, it can be a physical line or around a wireless transmission link act.

In addition, in this embodiment there is a radiation source 29 provided with one or more glass fibers 30 in connection stand, which are embedded in the plastic material 6 of the implant 1 are. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 there is only one such glass fiber 30 shown, which is directly connected to the radiation source 29 is to be understood only as a schematic representation. Also here several glass fibers 30 can be provided, which are similar How the glass fibers 7 are connected to the measuring device are in turn connected to the radiation source 29, that is to say via transmission elements, which are located in the body or outside could, etc.

The radiation source 29 can be an electromagnetic one in the glass fibers 30 Feed in radiation that emerges inside the implant 1 and creates a direct influence on the environment there, for example a heating of the surrounding plastic material 6 or but additional curing through increased polymerization or but a dissolution of polymerization compounds etc. Here are a variety of effects conceivable that depend on the nature of the used plastic material 6 and the nature of the fed electromagnetic radiation. The effect of this fed In any case, electromagnetic radiation is an influence the physical data of the plastic material 6 and possibly the Environment of the implant 1, for example, the strength of the Implants are increased or decreased locally or across the board. The location of exposure can be determined by arranging the Glass fibers 30 in the implant 1 determine the type of action an appropriate selection of a particular radiation.

The radiation source 29 can be completely independent of the measuring device 13 can be activated, but it is particularly advantageous if, how 3, a controller 31 is assigned to the radiation source 29 which is the radiation source 29 as a function of the measurement data the measuring device 11 switches on and off. To this end is the measuring device 11 via a line 28 with the controller 31 connected.

For example, the measuring device 11 determines that the elongation of the Implant 1 decreases in a certain area, this is a Signs that part of the power transmission through healing Bone fragments has been taken over, it can then be fed in of electromagnetic radiation in glass fibers 30 the strength of the implant 1 by dissolving part of the plastic material 6 are reduced so that the support function of the implant 1 corresponding to the increase in the stability of the bone connection decreases. This is an optimal adaptation of these sizes to each other possible, moreover, it is conducive to healing if the bone connection is increasingly burdened according to the healing process.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the introduction of the the radiation source 29 generated radiation via glass fibers 30, the are different from the glass fibers 7 of the measuring device.

It is also possible to measure both the physical state data as well as the feeding of electromagnetic radiation to carry out over the same glass fibers 7, this is shown schematically in FIG shown. For this purpose is between the transmission element 8 on the one hand and the measuring device 11 and the radiation source 29 on the other hand, an optical switch 33 turned on, optionally a connection of the glass fibers 7 with the measuring device 11 or Radiation source 29 allows. In Figure 4 this is by the double arrow C symbolically indicated. Switches of this type are available in different Way available, it can be mechanical Act switches, for example, an optical fiber between two coupling points move, or even switches that are electromagnetic, work piezoelectrically or thermally, here are the A large number of different switches known to those skilled in the art can be used for this purpose.

The optical switch 33 can optionally also be operated automatically be, so that it is ensured that, for example, alternately A measurement of the physical condition is carried out via the glass fiber 7 and radiant energy to influence the glass fiber environment is irradiated.

Claims (25)

1. A medical implant system having an implant (1) made of a composite material, in which glass fibres (7) are embedded, wherein a sensor element embedded in the implant (1) and comprising at least one of the glass fibres (7) is connected to a measuring device (11) which measures a physical property of the sensor element or of its environment, or of a change therein, characterised in that the glass fibres (7) in the form of a tissue, or a piece of knitted material or a fleece, are embedded in the composite material as mechanical reinforcement.
2. An implant system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the glass fibres (7) in the composite material are distributed over the whole extent of the implant (1).
3. An implant system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the measuring device (11) supplies electromagnetic radiation to the sensor element and measures physical properties of the sensor element or of its environment from the nature of the radiation passing through and/or being reflected.
4. An implant system according to Claim 3, characterised in that the glass fibre (7) of the sensor element is provided with a radiation-reflecting coating (18).
5. An implant system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor element consists substantially of the glass fibre (7) forming a sensor fibre.
6. An implant system according to Claim 5, characterised in that at least one region (13, 14, 15) functioning as a Bragg lattice is embedded in the sensor fibre.
7. An implant system according to [Claim] 5, characterised in that a substance (17) in which fluorescence is induced by the supplied electromagnetic radiation is embedded in the sensor fibre, the fluorescence properties of which substance undergo changes under the influence of the chemical environment outside the sensor fibre.
8. An implant system according to Claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the radiation-reflecting coating (18) consists of a substance which, under the influence of the chemical environment (19) outside the sensor fibre, alters the reflection behaviour in respect of the electromagnetic radiation within the sensor fibre.
9. An implant system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sensor element comprises the glass fibre (7) and another sensor member (12) which is connected to the measuring device (11) via the glass fibre (7).
10. An implant system according to Claim 9, characterised in that the sensor member (12) is a pressure sensor (25) having a flexible membrane (26) and a mirror element (27) movable by the said membrane, which mirror element position-dependently variously reflects the electromagnetic radiation supplied to the glass fibre (7).
11. An implant system according to Claim 9, characterised in that the sensor member (12) is a Fabry-Pérot interferometer.
12. An implant system according to Claim 11, characterised in that the Fabry-Pérot interferometer is in the form of a thin-layer interferometer (21, 22, 24) contacted on to the end (20) of the glass fibre (7), the active layer of which thin-layer interferometer undergoes changes in dimension under the influence of the environment.
13. An implant system according to Claim 11, characterised in that the Fabry-Pérot interferometer comprises two glass fibres (7, 22) having polished end faces (20, 21), the distance between which (B) is variable due to environmental influences.
14. An implant system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the glass fibre (7) of the sensor element is directly connected to the measuring device (11).
15. An implant system according to Claim 14, characterised in that the measuring device is a microcontroller implantable in the body.
16. An implant system according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the glass fibre (7) is connected to a transmitter (8) which, without physical contact, exchanges signals with the measuring device (11).
17. An implant system according to Claim 16, characterised in that the transmitter (8) is implantable in the body.
18. An implant system according to Claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the transmitter (8) is a transponder.
19. An implant system according to Claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the transmitter is a light source with which a light detector is associated.
20. An implant system according to Claim 19, characterised in that the light source emits electromagnetic radiation in the range between 650 and 1000 nm.
21. An implant system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the measuring device (11) is associated with a radiation transmitter (29) which, via a glass fibre (7; 30) in the implant (1), transports radiation into the interior of the implant (1).
22. An implant system according to Claim 21, characterised in that the radiation is transported via the glass fibre (7) of a sensor element.
23. An implant system according to Claim 21, characterised in that the radiation is transported via a glass fibre (30) which, like the glass fibre (7) of a sensor element, is embedded in the implant (1).
24. An implant system according to any one of Claims 21 to 23, characterised in that the wavelength and intensity of the transported radiation is selected such that the radiation induces mechanical and/or material changes in the composite material of the implant
25. An implant system according to any one of Claims 21 to 24, characterised in that the measuring device (11) and the radiation transmitter (29) are associated with a controller (31) which activates the radiation transmitter as a function of the measured variables of the measuring device (11).

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